AHOSKIE – Robert Lee Gatling, Jr., age 79, “took the journey” on Wednesday October 29, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee Gatling, Sr. and Hester Ruth Henry Gatling of Ahoskie.

He is survived by his son, Marc Patrick Gatling (Karine) of Orleans, France: his daughter, Anne Joelle Gatling of Marmande, France; two sisters, Anna Gatling Harmon (Sidney) of Wilson, and O’Shella Gatling (Roy Pattishall) of Durham; grandchildren, Corey and Laura Gatling: Lou Ann, Leo and Lara Stock of France; nieces Tami Wiggs (David) and Tasha Weatherington (Kenny) of Wilson; nephews Brian Lee Harmon (Diane) of Wilson, Christopher Pattishall of NYC, Jonathan Pattishall of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Nicholas Pattishall of Durham; great nephews, David Thorne Wiggs and Richard Lee Weatherington of Wilson; great niece Tamara LeeAnna Wiggs of Wilson; numerous close friends, and his beloved feline companion “Little Bubba”.

He was born in Ahoskie, graduated from Ahoskie High School in 1953, and from High Point University in 1958. He taught at Franklin School in NYC, and was a partner with his father in Gatling and Gatling Printing in Windsor, NC;  served in Governor Dan Moore’s Administration in Raleigh; and worked in real estate development for many years in Atlanta, Ga.

A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held Friday, November 28, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. at Highland Memorial Gardens, with visitation to follow at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 424 Church St. West,  Ahoskie, NC.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, PO Box 263. Ahoskie, NC 27910, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 302 Queen St., Windsor, NC 27983 or the charity of your choice.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be directed to the family at www.garrettsykesfs.com.